28 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
[No\ember, 1912 
" The plants may also be placed on the 
flues, but in all cases it is necessary to keep 
them damp ; and care must be taken to sur- 
round them with sufficient moss to retain the 
moisture. My success has been such with 
the above treatment as to produce six spikes 
of flowers on a single plant." 
MEXICAN L/ELIAS. 
THE recent sale of the collection of 
Mexican Laelias formed by Mr. de 
Barri Crawshay, Rosefield, Sevenoaks, 
results m the dispersal of possibly the greatest 
assemblage ever formed of these beautiful 
plants. Since 1882 Mr. Crawshay has con- 
stantly paid the keenest attention to Lselia 
anceps, and their re-classified nomenclature, 
based upon careful observation made over a 
long period, was published by him in the 
Gardeners Chronicle, December 6th, 1902, 
where it will be seen upon reference that 
many of the so-called numerous varieties of 
L. anceps were not considered by him as 
such, but as species equally distinct, as in the 
analogous case of Cattleya labiata. 
The discovery of hundreds of Laelia 
Schroderae further proves this contention and 
re-classification. Amateurs may question the 
large number of them in this collection, but 
there is no doubt regarding them. In 1897 
a few plants were purchased that were totally 
different to all other " anceps," except 
Schroders and Amesiana ; these, when flower- 
ing, proved to be Schroder^. The district 
which produced these plants provided more, 
almost the whole of which were added to the 
collection in 1898 and 1899. Finally, in 1901, 
an importation of several hundreds came over, 
almost the whole of which were also purchased 
by Mr. Crawshay. Every plant that has 
bloomed has proved a variety of Laelia 
Schroderae, the gorgeous colouring of many 
not being equalled in depth and intensity of 
the lips by the grandest hybrids yet raised. 
With the object of preserving history, and 
for future records, the following details are of 
interest : — 
L. anceps Chamberlainiana. The grandest 
anceps known, magnificent form, sepals and 
petals very large and broad, lip large, of 
splendid proportions and deeply coloured. 
L. anceps Crawshayana. This ranks next 
to Chamberlainiana, is a little lighter coloured, 
but has squarer petals and lip. When the plants 
are well grown the flowers are very large. 
L. anceps Mrs. de B. Crawshay. The finest 
of the dark coloured anceps ; the whole flower 
uniform deep rose-purple with darker velvety 
hp. 
L. anceps Scottiana. One of the darkest 
forms ; flowers small, but very brilliant, almost 
self coloured. 
L. anceps, Bull's alba. The only absolutely 
pure white anceps, ha\'ing no colour anywhere. 
L. anceps alba, Worthmgton's variety. 
This IS identical with Bull's alba, but was 
originally purchased m bloom by Mr. 
Worthington in Mexico, 1893, whereas Mr. 
Bull imported his alba in 1878. 
L. Schroderae Amesiana. This was 
acquired from the late Mr. Burton's collection, 
and IS part of the original Amesiana for which 
200 guineas was paid. Sepals and petals 
white at bases, richly tinted purple at apices, 
lip brilliant deep purple. 
L. Schroderae Theodora. An enormous 
form with deeply tinted sepals and petals and 
a very large velvety-purple lip. One of the 
finest Schroderss. 
L. Schroderae Craws'nayana. Possibly the 
most beautiful form known. Petals very 
heavily tipped with purple, hp deep velvety- 
purple. 
L. Hollidayana waddoniensis. The plant 
at Mr. Crowley's sale realised 70 guineas 
before it was broken up. Sepals and petals 
pure white, lip having a few faint lines in 
tube ; of very large size. 
L. Hollidayana rosefieldiensis. A very 
chaste ajid perfect variety. Petals broad, Hp 
having very large side lobes, the anterior lobe 
being tinted pink. 
L. Hollidayana Theodora. The most per- 
fectly formed Hollidayana. Petals of great 
width, lip oblong. A pure white variety, 
except the crimson-purple lines in the tube. 
L. Dawsonii. One of the most beautiful 
white Laslias. The form is exquisite, pure 
white with rich rose-purple lobes to the lip. 
